Shangguan (GB3)
Shangguan (GB3), “Upper Gate”, is a point on the Gallbladder meridian. It is point 3 of the 44 on the channel. Dispels Wind from the side of the head and benefits the ear.
Location
On the head, in the depression above the midpoint of the zygomatic arch.
Functions according to tradition
Dispels Wind from the side of the head and benefits the ear.
Traditional indications
- Migraine
- Deafness
- Tinnitus
- Jaw pain
- Facial palsy
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
Two or more channels meet here, so it is credited with acting on all of them.
Precautions
Needle shallowly: the superficial temporal artery runs beneath the zygomatic arch.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- TE21 Ermen (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Deafness, Jaw pain, Tinnitus
- ST7 Xiaguan (Stomach): Deafness, Jaw pain, Tinnitus
- TE17 Yifeng (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Deafness, Tinnitus
- TE2 Yemen (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Deafness, Tinnitus
- TE22 Erheliao (San Jiao (Triple Burner)): Facial palsy, Tinnitus
- SI16 Tianchuang (Small Intestine): Deafness, Tinnitus
Point profile
- Code
- GB3
- Pinyin name
- Shàng Guān
- Characters
- 上关
- Translation
- Upper Gate
- Meridian
- Gallbladder
- Element
- Wood
- Classification
- Crossing point
- Topics
- Ear, Head & Neck, Jaw
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
